What: Cirque Italia: The Italian Water Circus

When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight and 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: J.S. Bridwell Ag Center, 111 N. Burnett.

Admission: $10 to $40. There are specials for children’s admission prices under 12

Information: (940) 716-5500, wfmpec.com or cirqueitalia.com/tickets

Hear ye, hear ye, the Cirque Italia Water Circus is in town.

Creator Manuel Rebecchi’s unique creation features talented performers from around the world in a water rich setting that is animal free.

Cirque Italia opened yesterday under the big tent at the J.S. Bridwell Ag Center and will play from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight, and 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

It’s their first time in Wichita Falls, said aerial performer (and Austin, Texas native) Morgaine Talia Rosenthal. “We are really excited to visit a number of new places in Texas this go around, and we’ve gotten a really good response.”

Rosenthal joined the six-year-old Cirque Italia four years ago, right after the circus began performing year round. “I’ve been performing with many of these people for four years now, and I am still amazed by the acts. And I’ve seen the show, I don’t know how many times,” she said.

“We have all these amazing human performers who bring their own unique skills and talents to the stage, which is enhanced by the water. It’s really beautiful.”

The show is set under a 1,600 seat, climate-controlled tent with a circular stage with a 3,500 gallon water tank underneath it. It’s very unique, she said, and somewhat similar to performing inside a fountain. Water shoots up from the base and also falls from the top of the tent.

“The audience is very close to the action,” she said, “and I really like that. You are not sitting 100 feet away from the performers. It’s more personal. I can see the reactions of the audience and I love that. The furthest seat is no more than 40 feet or so from the stage.

The performers work in the round and play to all sides of the stage.

 Shows are approximately two hours long, and afterwards audiences can go to the performers and have pictures made with them and get autographs.

Rosenthal said she and her partner Dee do a romantic aerial act. Coco the Clown, who is from Argentina, rides the world’s smallest bike. “It’s tiny,” she said. “I have no idea how he does it. It’s like a foot tall.”

The company’s 17-year-old contortionist, Juliet Carballo, is from Peru, and joined Cirque Italia two years ago. A sixth generation circus performer, she also paints children’s faces during the intermission.

There is also a daring high wire act by three performers from Mexico, as well as a roller skating act - the Zeman Duo – that has been featured on “America’s Got Talent.” “It’s amazing to watch their strength and agility and concentration, which could really be said for all of our acts,” Rosenthal said.

There is juggling by Victor, a bicycle act by Hungarian Karchy Zeman, hand balancing by Italian Gimmi Fornaciari, as well as a chandelier made up of three women performing 45 feet in the air.

There is a quick change artist, a two man laser show, a mermaid and dinosaurs.

They do 8 shows each weekend, over 11 ½ months a year. The family friendly show gets everyone from kids to their grandparents, she said.

“It’s so many events that come together to create one unique show,” Rosenthal said. Performers come from over 10 European and North and South American countries. “Each of the acts and performers bring their unique talents to the stage. This is what we have created,” she said.

“I am constantly surrounded by people who are passionate about what they do, and what we do as a group. It’s inspiring to work with people who care as much about the circus as I do. Watching all those people’s passion come alive on stage.

“We want people to feel something, and we are close enough to see the reactions of the crowd. Watching that makes it just that much more fun for me.”